J. Hall

SOUNDS of nostalgia: the high-pitched whine of an inertia starter sliding down the scale as the pilot kicks in the big radial. The engine coughs, barks, then settles into a ragged rumble-sounds beloved by all true biplane fans. For them, the only real airplanes have two wings and round engines. Even apart from that special breed of enthusiast, most people at air shows today show more interest in the early biplanes than in today's sophisticated, high-tech streamliners. It's the special character and colorful personalities of the two-wingers, both on the ground and in the air, that really grab their attention.